Should You Move Out During a Home Renovation?

Why Moving Out During a Home Renovation Can Be Beneficial

Home renovations are exciting! The anticipation of a clean new kitchen, a luxurious bathroom, or a completely transformed living space can be thrilling. However, there is a complicated, messy period between creating the idea with your custom home designer and the completed project. Although some people choose to stay living in their homes during the renovation process, there are many reasons why it is recommended to temporarily move out. Also, keep in mind that the size and scope of your renovation play a big factor in if it is necessary to pack up and move out. We encourage you to have a conversation with the design-build contractor and interior designers when making this decision. 

This post delves into why relocating during a home renovation can be a smart decision for your health, sanity, and the success of your project.

Safety First: Protect Your Health and Family from Renovation Risks

While your design-build contractors and workers are skilled and trained, construction zones are inherently risky. There can be exposed wires, unattended tools, and loose nails that create potential hazards for everyone in the house. This risk is amplified further if there are young kids or pets in the house who are unaware of these dangers. Moving out keeps your loved ones safe from potential accidents and injuries.

Beyond physical safety, renovations cause hefty amounts of dust, fumes, and noise. Even though we take precautions to keep all construction debris at bay, there will always be a certain amount of dust that will find its way into your living quarters. Construction dust contains allergens and irritants that often exacerbate respiratory issues like asthma or allergies, which is especially problematic for toddlers or anyone in the house who has a compromised immune system. By removing yourself from the possibility of exposure to these risks, you can keep yourself and your family safer. 

Streamline Your Renovation: Save Time and Money by Relocating

Living in a construction zone is disruptive for all parties involved. The timing of daily routines gets thrown off track, cooking becomes more of a challenge, and it can feel impossible to find a moment of quiet for yourself. Although it sounds counterintuitive, moving out of your house can be one of the best solutions to maintaining a sense of normalcy and routine.

Furthermore, staying during a home renovation restricts the design-build contractor’s access and flexibility. When workers have to adjust their schedules around your timing and needs, it can often result in extending the timeline. By moving out you give the contractor unrestricted access to all areas of the house and allow them to work as efficiently as possible. As a perk, this efficiency can also mean saving money for you, since labor times could be reduced. 

Preserve Your Possessions: Avoid Dust and Damage

No matter how many containment barriers are set up, your home renovation is bound to build up dust. This dust can settle on furniture, electronics, and artwork, which can lead to damage or tiresome cleaning jobs. Moving allows you to know your belongings are in a safe and clean environment, eliminating the concern of damage. 

Moreover, a well-executed renovation can significantly increase your home’s value. Leaving during the process allows for a cleaner, smoother renovation, protecting your investment and ensuring your newly renovated space is ready to showcase to potential buyers or simply enjoy yourself.

Finding Your Temporary Haven: Tips for Choosing a Rental During Renovation

While the benefits of moving out are clear, we know this adds an extra layer of planning and expense to your home renovation project. Here are some factors to consider when choosing your temporary home:

• Length of Renovation: Short renovations may be manageable through extended family stays or hotel living. However, for longer construction projects, consider renting a furnished apartment or house.
• Budget: Moving is expensive. Be sure to factor in rent, utilities, and potential storage costs when evaluating the feasibility of temporary living.
• Location: Ideally you would want to find a temporary home that is close to your current residence for convenience and maintaining routines.
• Pet-friendliness: If you have pets, ensure your temporary accommodation will allow your furry friend.

PRD’s Custom Home Designers’ Personal Perspective

“As we always tell our clients, Kyle and I are all too familiar with the art of living through a renovation. We’ve condensed all of our necessary furnishings into one small space, cleaned dishes in the bathtub, dined on a cardboard box, and cleared space on our bathroom vanity for the coffee maker. We’ve lived through four renovation projects; so when it comes to “surviving” a live-in remodeling project, you name it, we’ve tried it. 

It’s important to us that we have an honest conversation with our clients about the realistic possibility of them living through a renovation. Once the scope of work is established, we can have that discussion so that our clients can have time to make arrangements as needed. For smaller-scale projects, we are always happy to share our experience, tips, and tricks for living through a renovation. Most of our projects are larger in scope and require our clients to move out for an extended period of time. In that case, we have honed our ability to project a timeline so that our clients can select the best living arrangement for them. 

Our ultimate goal is to help our clients set themselves up for a seamless and pleasant construction process, allowing them to carry on with their busy lives while we manage the minutiae.” –Katelyn Irizarry, Design Director of PRD Custom Homes & Interiors

Make the Right Choice: Weighing the Pros and Cons of Moving Out

Ultimately, the decision to move out during a home renovation depends on your specific circumstances. We have a quick breakdown to help you decide, but we recommend that you have a conversation with your design-build contractor and your interior designer. 

Move Out If:

• You have young children or pets.
• You have health concerns such as respiratory issues.
• You are planning a major renovation project.
• Your design-build contractor highly recommends it.

Stay Put If:

• Your renovation is small and contained (e.g., basement, custom cabinetry).
• You are on a tight budget and cannot afford temporary housing.
• You are comfortable with disruption and have flexibility in your daily routines.
• You can prioritize communication and work closely with the contractor to minimize disruption.

Renovate Your Home with PRD

Are you interested in a home renovation project? PRD Custom Homes & Interiors has a team of experts who will work closely with you to help you build your dream home. We can build custom homes, renovate existing spaces, redesign rooms, and create custom cabinetry. Simply put, we are here to provide you with any and all home services you desire. Our team of expert custom home designers would love to work with you and bring your dream house to life. Contact us today!